BILL NUMBER: S1538
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to optional disa-
bility coverage for county probation officers
 
PURPOSE:
To allow for optional disability coverage for probation officers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Sections 1-2. Amend section 207-c(l) of the General Municipal Law to
include county probation officers among the employees who shall receive
disability coverage equal to their full salary in the event that they
are injured in the performance of their duties.
Section 3. Establishes an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Probation officers provide a vital law enforcement element to the commu-
nity's safety and a significant support function to our criminal justice
system. Their duties involve them in virtually all phases of the crimi-
nal justice process, including investigations, presentencing, criminal
supervision, treatment and other preventative corrective services.
Often, probation is relied upon more frequently as a viable alternative
to incarceration or detention. Today's probation officers find them-
selves performing many of the functions performed by their counterparts
in the police and corrections services.
Like other police and peace officers throughout the State, probation
officers are exposed on a daily basis to the risks and dangers involved
in managing an increasingly violent criminal population. In addition,
they are regularly exposed to significant amounts of stress and aggra-
vation, not to mention the possibility of bodily injury that may result
from the performance of their duties. Probation officers, however, are
not eligible under current law to receive comparable disability coverage
for injuries they sustain in the line of performance of those duties.
Fundamental fairness requires that this coverage be extended to
probation officers.
This legislation permits county employers and employee representatives
to negotiate for this benefit through the collective bargaining process
at their option. All costs would be incurred by the employer and/or
employee, as determined through collective bargaining.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.366/A.147 Referred to Local Government/Reported to Ways and
Means
2021-22: S.2633/A.994 Referred to Local Government/reported to Ways and
Means
2019-20: S.1929/A.2232 Referred to Local Government/Passed Assembly
2018: S.7554/A.9667 Passed both houses - Vetoed
2017: S.2516/A.473 Passed both houses - Vetoed
2016: S.7928/A.10613 Referred to Local Government/Referred to Ways and
Means
2006: S.3237 Referred to Local Government
2005: S.3237 Referred to Local Government
2004: S.2491 Referred to Local Government
2003: S.2491 Referred to Local Government
2002: S.2868 Referred to Local Government
2001: S.2868 Referred to Local Government
2000: S.3710 Referred to Local Government
1999: S.3710 Referred to Local Government
1998: 5.6384 Recommitted to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1538: 207-c general municipal law, 207-c(1) general municipal law